Coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser

Abstract

The Mechanism has a platform which has a coin chute formed thereon, and which rotatably journals a slotted plate. In opposite 180° positions a plate slot aligns with the coin chute, there being two of such slots. Each slot has an abutment which, when the slot is aligned with the coin chute, is engageable by a spring-biased pawl to prevent rotation of the plate if no coinage, or inadequate coinage has been passed through the chute to occupy the chute-aligned slot. A second pawl engages reliefs formed in the plate to hold the plate in a position in which a slot is aligned with the chute, and a spring-loaded arm, pivotably coupled to the platform, also positions the plate for coinage reception. An arcuate wall fixed to the platform, and circumjacent the plate, guides coinage to a bottom portion of the Mechanism.

I claim: 
     
       1. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, comprising: a platform;   a slotted plate; and   means rotatably journalling said plate on said platform;   said platform having a coin chute;   said plate having a slot formed therein for slidably receiving coinage therein;   said slot having parallel edges which define a void therebetween, and an open end; wherein   said open end of said slot aligns with said chute when said plate is in a given disposition; and   means coupled to said plate for holding coinage in said slot; wherein   said slot comprises means defining an abutment; and   blocking means coupled to said platform displaceably engageable with said abutment for prohibiting rotation of said plate; and   limit stop means protruding into said void in said slot for determining how far into said slot coinage shall travel.   
     
     
       2. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 1, wherein: said coinage holding means comprises a cover plate fastened to said slotted plate;   
     
     
       3. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 1; wherein: said plate has a relief formed therein; and further including   latching means releaseably engageable with said relief for holding said plate in said given disposition.   
     
     
       4. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 3, further including: means coupling said blocking means and said latching means together.   
     
     
       5. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 4, wherein: said coupling means comprises an extension spring.   
     
     
       6. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 3, wherein: said blocking means and said latching means comprise pawls pivotably mounted to said platform.   
     
     
       7. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 1, further including: an arcuate wall, coupled to said platform, for guiding coinage therealong,   
     
     
       8. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 1, further including: an arm pivotably coupled to said platform, and movable across said plate;   means on said plate for impingingly engaging said arm for holding said plate in said given disposition.   
     
     
       9. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 8, wherein: said arm engaging means comprises a pin fixed in said plate and extending therefrom.   
     
     
       10. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 9, further including: an arcuate wall, coupled to said platform, for guiding coinage therealong; wherein   said wall has means for limiting pivotable movement of said arm in a given direction.   
     
     
       11. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 10, further including: means intercoupling said arm and said platform for biasingly holding said arm in engagement with said movement limiting means.   
     
     
       12. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, comprising: a platform;   a slotted plate; and   means rotatably journalling said plate on said platform; wherein   said platform has a coin chute;   said plate has a pair of elongated slots each having a longitudinal axis, formed therein for slidably receiving coinage therein wherein the longitudinal axes of said slots are parallel;   each said slot has an open end;   said open ends are on opposite sides of said plate;   said open end of one of said slots aligns with said coin chute when said plate is in one of two given dispositions, and said open end of the other of said slots aligns with said coin chute when said plate is in the other of said two given dispositions; a   means coupled to said plate for holding coinage in said slots; wherein   each said slot comprises means defining an abutment; and   blocking means coupled to said platform displaceably engageable with said abutment of said one slot when said plate is in said one disposition, and engageable with said abutment of said other slot when said plate is in said other disposition, said blocking means comprising means for prohibiting rotation of said plate.   
     
     
       13. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 12, wherein: said coinage holding means comprises a cover plate fastened to said slotted plate.   
     
     
       14. A coin-controlled mechanism for a product dispenser, according to claim 12, wherein: said plate has a pair of reliefs formed therein on opposite sides of said plate; and further including   latching means releasably engageable with one of said reliefs when said plate is in one of said two dispositions, to hold said plate in said one disposition, and releasably engageable with the other of said reliefs when said plate is in said other disposition, to hold said plate in said other disposition.